Abstract: Development of
best management practices (BMP) for irrigated agriculture has become essential
because efficient use of water is crucial with the ongoing drought in Wyoming
and because irrigated agriculture contributes to non-point source pollution
of our ground and surface waters. Proper management of water and the appropriate
application of fertilizers can increase agricultural productivity while minimizing
water quality degradation. Microirrigation, such as subsurface drip irrigation
(SDI), offers the opportunity for precise application of water and fertilizers.
Such irrigation methods are being developed as environmentally-friendly farming
practices and systems. In the proposed study, field experiments and computer
modeling will be conducted to quantify both water and fertilizers uptake by
crops, and the potential of nitrate leaching into ground water in subsurface
drip and flood irrigated fields. Detailed field data and comprehensive numerical
simulations will help us to understand many theoretical and technical questions
in the applications of SDI. The study will provide the necessary information
for developing and/or improving irrigation management to enhance crop (e.g.
alfalfa) productivity and to minimize ground and surface water contamination.